The Croft
We are currently preparing proposals for a new gallery and studio to house a private collection of art for a private residence in Upper Lambourn, Berkshire.Location
Upper Lambourn, Berkshire
Size
~550m2
Dates
2015–Ongoing
The gallery will form an extension to an existing house, enclosing a new room which will provide an open space to enjoy art and listen to music, separated from the main house by a library which will mediate the difference in scale from the domestic living room. Skylights in the north east facing part of the roof will bring in controlled natural light, and clerestory glazing on the façade facing the front garden will bring indirect light into the new space. A floor level window within the gallery creates a subtle connection to the garden.
The proposals enhance the setting of the existing property and form a sculptural backdrop to the landscape, echoing the architectural features of the original building, whilst remaining subservient. The positioning and scale of the proposal follows the character of the village, with large outbuildings associated with the horse racing industry surrounding dispersed dwellings. The proposal restores the relationship between the house and its outbuildings, and makes sense of the existing landscape arrangement.